English Visual Novel producer, Manga Gamer, has partnered with J-list to offer packaged versions of some of their titles. Manga Gamer started in 2008 as a download only producer of English translated visual novels. Earlier this year they released their first retail box, with the Da Capo Limited Edition. On July 19th, 2011, J-List announced it had partnered with Manga Gamer to release more titles as packaged games. The first five games currently available from this partnership are:
This is great news for people who prefer to own an actual box and DVD (like myself). And hopefully this will get more exposure for Manga Gamer so they can continue translating new titles to English.
Picked up TRON Legacy this week, and as a big fan of the original I had to get The Ultimate TRON Experience.
This 5 disc set comes in this collectible case shaped like an Identity Disc, which lights up. The 5 discs it comes with are TRON Legacy 3D Bluray (in case I ever get a 3D TV), TRON Legacy Bluray, TRON Legacy DVD, TRON Legacy Digital copy, and the original TRON on Bluray.
I also got the English language version of Da Capo, which is Mangagamer's first retail release of an eroge they have translated. It came with a soundtrack and art book. I'll probably play through it once I finish Dragon Age 2.
Jast USA is having a sale. If you buy 3 games (including pre-orders) you get a copy of Heart de Roomate, one of the best games they've ever released.
Due to a number of unfortunate incidents, Yusuke is left without a place to live when he transfers to his new school. Where will he go? Then to his surprise, he runs into his childhood friend Asumi. Misunderstanding Yusuke's situation, she escorts him back to her girls' school dorm and announces to her astonished roommates that Yusuke will be living with them! It sounds like heaven for Yusuke, but it's not: the other girls make him take care of the cleaning and cooking, and he also has to wear a girl's uniform to hide their secret. Tough luck for Yusuke, but over time he starts enjoying life with his cute roommates. What he never expected was where his ever-growing passion towards these pretty girls would take him...
The game is presented in an episodic style complete with "Next time on Heart de Roomate" endings to each episode, and even a flashback episode. It's one of my favorite English released visual novels/dating sim, and I highly recommend it.
Haven't gotten many new figures since I went to Animefest back in Sept. Here is my first new figure since then. Mickey Mouse from the Epic Mickey Collectors Edition. If you own a Wii, and especially if your a Disney fan, I recommend you pick this game up. Besides some camera issues it's a very good game, and the story is great.
More after the jump...
I got several DVD's and games for Christmas. Epic Mickey was one. I also got Disney's Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. This game takes place before Kingdom Hearts 1, and from what I've played might tell the origin of Organization XIII from Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts 2. First up on my DVD loot is Toy Story 3 Bluray combo pack. I like how Disney gives you both a Bluray and DVD copy, and I've noticed some other studios are starting to do this as well. Prince of Persia was a Christmas gift from a friend along with a 25.00 FYE gift card.
Smallville seasons 4, 6, and 7. It's a real shame the series is ending with the current season. Since they started delving more into the comic book, and less the Meteor Freak of the Week from the first few seasons, it's been getting really good. But I guess they can't go to much longer without having him fly and done the suit, which I believe is something they always said from the begining wouldn't happen until the end.
Some oldies but goodies. Pete's Dragon to add to my Disney collection. The Last Starfighter 25th Anniversary Edition Bluray, a great movie and one of my favorites from when I was a kid. I already had the movie on DVD, but 15.00 is a reasonable price for an upgrade. They just don't make movies like this anymore.
Greetings, Starfighter. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Xur and the Ko-dan armada.
Rightstuf had a sale just before Christmas. They had a combo pack that came with all 3 volumes of the Dojin Work anime, as well as the first 4 volumes of the manga, which is all Media Blasters has released. The rest of the manga series is on indefinite hiatus. I like the series, and really hope they decide to finish translating it.
Also picked up volume 2 and 3 of Kujibiki "Heart" Unbalance during the sale. These were the only 2 volumes I was missing from my Genshiken collection. I say that since each volume comes with an episode of the Genshiken anime. Even without the Genshiken episodes included the anime is a good watch. Didn't want you thinking I bought them just for that.
The 25.00 FYE gift card I got was used toward the purchase of Maria-holic the Complete series. I've been reading the manga, and enjoying it so far. That's why I decided to pick this up. Haven't had a chance to watch it yet though.
Picked up the latest Dengeki G's Festival dedicated to Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai or Oreimo. This was an awesome series, and I hope someone picks up both the anime and manga for US distribution. Can't read a lick of Japanese, so the magazine's only good for the pictures. But the reasons I bought it are pictured below.
Kuroneko Caramelldansen. The episode that introduces Kuroneko she is asked whats the most embarrassing thing that's happened to her because she is an otaku. She answers that it was when her siblings caught her Caramelldansen in front on the mirror. The figure is just super cute.
This issue also came with a towel featuring main character Kirino.
Once again this year I ordered a Fukubukuro bag from J-list. I didn't quit get as many good items as I did last year as you can see above. Lets start with a roll of Hello Kitty toilet paper, some kind of Naruto wristbands and kunai, a solar powered Lucky Cat, some kind of robotic dog toy, and a hamburger strap.
A Japanese children's book, a Star Trek trading figure (I got a shuttle craft), a fashion magazine called Kera, a keychain (in the capsule), and a Daruma Otoshi. The Daruma Otoshi is a game where you knock each of the colored blocks, starting at the bottom, out from under the block with the face without the whole thing toppling over.
Large scale Daruma game featured on Unbeatable Banzuke
A pair of snake skin pattern Japanese style sandals. Not sure the exact size, but they don't fit me. The lid of the box has No 8 - Kanji character - L printed on. I'm guessing the L might stand for large. Anyone know how they show the size on these?
Here is the best of the bunch. A Tsumugi figma, and Tea Society of a Witch Animeplay DVD. Oh I also got a orange strap, and toy turtle. I'll get some pictures of Mugi out of the box later.
So that's the loot for the last couple of months. Question. Are the Youtube videos to much?
An English language patch has been released for Remember 11 from Kid. The patch is available at TLWiki. Remember 11 is the 3rd visual novel in Kid's Infinity series which includes Never 7, Ever 17 and 12 Riven. You can find the game at J-List or Amazon Japan. I've played the English release of Ever 17 from Hirameki and it's an incredible game with a huge twist once you unlock the true ending, so I'm really looking forward to playing Remember 11.
Fuyukawa Kokoro, a third-year sociology major, boards a plane bound for Hokkaido to meet a research subject in the Specified Psychiatric Hospital for Isolation and Aegis, or SPHIA. For unknown reasons, her plane crashes in the mountains in the middle of a snowstorm. Of the 31 passengers, only she, Yuni Kusuda, Seiji Yomogi, and Lin Mayuzumi survive unharmed. Unable to establish communication with the outside world due to the fierce snowstorm, the four decide to take shelter in an empty cabin and wait until the storm passes.
As if the trauma, freezing temperature and debilitating hunger weren't enough, the survivors must deal with something even more frustrating. A newspaper is found in the cottage dated July 4, 2011 - well off in the future. The paper claims that the survivors of the crash, save Yuni, will die in an avalanche in seven days.
Satoru Yukidoh, a graduate student in the field of quantum physics, falls from the SPHIA clock tower. He later awakens with some memory loss and the realization that someone is out to kill him. Unable to leave the SPHIA facility due to a snowstorm, Satoru's only chance at living is to find that person among the three other residents (or perhaps the hidden culprit) of SPHIA.
Both Kokoro and Satoru soon realize that, their "consciousnesses" are experiencing a kind of exchange, in which Kokoro's mind takes control of Satoru's body in SPHIA as Satoru's mind enters Kokoro's body in the mountain cabin.
However, a boy named Yuni Kusuda appears at both locations. How is this possible?
MangaGamer has released Higurashi When They Cry Kai -Matsuribayashi- today. And to celebrate they are running a sale on the previous Higurashi chapters until July 23rd.
Higurashi When They Cry: 36.95 Euros (US$ 46.33)-> 23.95 Euros (US$ 30.03)
Higurashi When They Cry Kai Meakashi: 19.95 Euros (US$ 25.02)-> 14.95 Euros (US$ 18.75)
Higurashi When They Cry Kai Tsumihoroboshi: 19.95 Euros (US$ 25.02)-> 14.95 Euros (US$ 18.75)
Higurashi When They Cry Kai Minagoroshi: 19.95 Euros (US$ 25.02)-> 14.95 Euros (US$ 18.75)
Went to Barnes and Nobel this past week and picked up some manga. Got Yotsuba&! volumes 4, 5, and 6.
Cool video of the characters from Yotsuba&! in the Azu Manga Daioh opening.
Ordered the Ai Yori Aoshi visual novel from Rightstuf. It was 5.99 when I ordered it, but it's gone up to 8.99 now. Went to Best Buy and picked up Infamous for the PS3. They had a coupon for 10.00 off and I had 15.00 in reward certificates so got it for 14.99+tax.
This came in the mail this week also. It's a 25th anniversary original motion picture score for The Goonies. It was published by Varese Sarabande and is limited to 5000 copies. And I believe it is the first full release of all the tracks that Dave Grusin composed for the movie. This CD is comprised of 34 of Grusin's compositions. Previous soundtracks only included 1 of Grusin's scores with the other 11 tracks being songs by Cyndi Lauper and other songs heard in the background.
J-List is having a Valentine's Day sale. Buy Bazooka Cafe and get a $5.00 store credit. Also get a $5.00 store credit for any other games you order along with Bazooka Cafe. Order 4 games, get $20.00 coupon as well as their regular 15% discount for ordering 4 or more games.
I got the first of the two Fuku-bukuro bags from J-list in Saturday. Fuku-bukuro bags are essentially grab bags that Japanese stores make around new years which are very popular. The value of the items in the bag are always more than the price of the bag. This was the Adult Set 2 bag. I also ordered the Anime Set A which has not come in yet. I got 1 figure, 1 trading figure, 3 gashapons, 3 games, 2 dvds, and 3 magazines in my bag.
Mangagamer has announced the release date for Higurashi: When They Cry.
The release date for the upcoming game, "Higurashi when they cry" has been decided to December 15, 2009. This release will be the first 4 chapters of the original smash hit game made by 07th Expansion and will be sold for 36.95 Euros.
Upon the release, MangaGamer.com will open an All Age section of the website on December 15th. The site will be closed and unavailable during the following hours for testing.
12/15 04:00(CET)Site Downtime 12/15 10:00(CET)Renewal Open
Sekai Project has released their fan translation patch for the Visual Novel School Days from Overflow. School Days is a very unique Visual Novel as it uses full animation to tell the story, as opposed to the static images other VN's use. This patch only translates Episode 1, but Sekai Project hopes to have Episode 3 or 4 out by the end of the year.
Mangagamer has announced the acquisition of the Visual Novel Higurashi no Naku Koro ni.
'Higurashi when they cry'
We proudly anouce that we have started the localozation of 'Higurashi when they cry'. We have been getting a lot of requests from MangaGamer's fans to localize the title. We are very excited and happy to be able to relaese this best seller title from MangaGamer.com.
We target to release the title by the end of October. Please stay close with our release schedule.
According to Visual-Novels.net Mangagamer has also acquired the rights to Shuffle!. That's two really high profile games that I thought would never see the light of day officially in English. I can't say I'm a huge fan of the download only policy of Mangagamer, prefer to own the box, but if they do a good job with these two titles I might change my mind.
At the JAST USA panel at Anime Expo, JAST announced some big news concerning new licenses. They have formed a partnership with Nitro+ to bring Nitro's games to the US. The first two titles to come out of this partnership will be Demonbane (Early 2010) and Jingai Makyou (Summer 2010). JAST has also licensed the Yukkuri Panic Series.
Other news from AX was the progress of current JAST titles.
Kazoku Keikaku: Gold, out by end of month Catgirl:Fall 2009 (Sept/Oct) Raidy 2: Winter 2009 (Dec) Cleavage: On hold Downhill 1: Fall
You can read more on the Nitro+ partnership at the official English website www.nitroplususa.com
. If you own a Wii, and especially if your a Disney fan, I recommend you pick this game up. Besides some camera issues it's a very good game, and the story is great.
. This game takes place before Kingdom Hearts 1, and from what I've played might tell the origin of Organization XIII from Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts 2. First up on my DVD loot is 
Bluray combo pack. I like how Disney gives you both a Bluray and DVD copy, and I've noticed some other studios are starting to do this as well. 
was a Christmas gift from a friend along with a 25.00 FYE gift card.
seasons 4, 6, and 7. It's a real shame the series is ending with the current season. Since they started delving more into the comic book, and less the Meteor Freak of the Week from the first few seasons, it's been getting really good. But I guess they can't go to much longer without having him fly and done the suit, which I believe is something they always said from the begining wouldn't happen until the end.
to add to my Disney collection. 
Bluray, a great movie and one of my favorites from when I was a kid. I already had the movie on DVD, but 15.00 is a reasonable price for an upgrade. They just don't make movies like this anymore.
anime, as well as the first 4 volumes of the manga, which is all Media Blasters has released. The rest of the manga series is on indefinite hiatus. I like the series, and really hope they decide to finish translating it.
during the sale. These were the only 2 volumes I was missing from my 
collection. I say that since each volume comes with an episode of the Genshiken anime. Even without the Genshiken episodes included the anime is a good watch. Didn't want you thinking I bought them just for that. 
the Complete series. I've been reading the manga, and enjoying it so far. That's why I decided to pick this up. Haven't had a chance to watch it yet though.
volumes 4, 5, and 6. 
for the PS3. They had a coupon for 10.00 off and I had 15.00 in reward certificates so got it for 14.99+tax.
. It was published by 
